Part -I Progressive techniques for cultivation of turmeric in the most effective manner

Turmeric is an important spice crop, which is used for its medicinal properties apart from being used for other purposes. It’s hard to describe its value completely as it is replete with many good qualities. It can be cultivated with ease by adopting a few cost effective techniques and can be a good source of income. If farmers do not want to cultivate large quanitites, they should at least make sure that they do enough to meet their daily turmeric needs. Turmeric cultivation can be done successfully by adopting the following scientific methods.
Land selection: -
Turmeric cultivation is done mostly in sandy loam or low land loam soil. If the land is slightly acidic, turmeric cultivation can be done successfully on it. Proper arrangements should be available for water drainage.
Land preparation:
For turmeric cultivation, land should be prepared in advance because it grows underground. For this reason, good level of pulverization is required in the soil. Cultivate at least 2-3 feet using mold bold plough before using cultivator to prepare the land. Also, the large blocks of soil should be shortened and the land must be levelled using a leveler.
Manure and Fertilizer: -
20 to 25 tons/hectare of well rotten FYM should be used to make sure that the soil becomes powdery and any chemical fertilizer will be fully effective. After this, 100-120 kg Nitrogen, 60-80 kg Sulphur and 80-100 kg Potash by kg/hectare measure should be provided. Turmeric cultivation has a huge requirement of Potash and those farmers who do not use it get impacted on both quality and yield of the turmeric crop. One fourth dosage of Nitrogen and full dosage of Sulphur should be given at the time of sowing. The remaining portion of Nitrogen should be divided into 2 parts - one should be given 40 to 60 days after sowing and the other 80 to 100 days after.

Crop Rotation:-
Appropriate crop rotation is absolutely essential for the successful cultivation of turmeric. Special care should be taken that the same land is not used for turmeric continuously as this crop pulls more nutrients from the soil. It is advised not to cultivate turmeric in the second year. In irrigated areas, by adopting crop rotation method, growing peanut, maize, potatoes, chilli, sorghum, rice etc. along with turmeric is much better for a successful yield.
Developed Varieties: -
Spice varieties like, Poona, Soniya, Gautama, Rashim, Suroma, Roma, Krishna, Guntur, Megha, Halda1, Sukarn, Sugandhan and C.O.1, etc., are major categories that farmers can choose from. Using just a small amount, your seed could be prepared.
Sowing:-
The farmers who have sufficient water supply can plant turmeric from the second fortnight of April to the first week of July. However, those with a lack of adequate irrigation options may sow it as soon as the monsoon rains start. Regardless of the time of sowing, all the preparations for its cultivation must already be done before hand. Prepare the soil well and make 5-7 m long and 2-3 m wide beds. Put Rhizome 4-5 cm deep into the ground, with a distance of 30 to 45 cm row to row and 20-25 cm from plant to plant. This way, 12-15 quintal/hectare turmeric rhizomes will be required.
Irrigation: -
Even though turmeric does not require much irrigation, if sowing is done during Summer season, irrigation is required at least 4-5 times before the start of the rains. During monsoon, it is not required to irrigate the field. However, if it doesn’t rain in the middle or if there are drought like conditions and there is no rain even after October, in such circumstances, irrigation is needed at an interval of 20-25 days. In November, leaves start growing and rhizome thickness increases as well, because of which additional soil needs to be added. It is good for the bulb growth and also produces good yield.
AgroStar Agronomy Center Excellence